If you are going to replace a 157-time winner, you had better be fast.
“Fast” Jack Beckman will fill the role of John Force’s substitute while he recovers from a Traumatic Brain Injury [TBI] suffered on June 23, 2024, in
Richmond, Va., while racing the NHRA Virginia Nationals.
Beckman will drive Force’s PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro SS for the remainder of the 2024 season in what the team is calling “the Joint Task Force—Mission Championship”.”
Beckman will debut this weekend at the 47th Annual Cornwell Tools “Night Under Fire” at Summit Motorsports Park. He and John Force Racing teammate Brittany Force, who is driving the Cornwell Tools Chevrolet dragster, will compete in the event.
Beckman could contend and win a championship for the 157-time winner Force per NHRA’s replacement driver rules. NHRA rules mandate that when a driver cannot compete, the race team may employ a substitute who can earn points for the original driver in a maximum of eight tour events.
Beckman has a good chance of making things happen as Force remains sixth in the championship standings despite missing the last three events. Two races remain in the regular season: Brainerd, Minnesota, and the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.
“When you think about someone who can handle the driving, can deal with the media, take care of the sponsors, and take care of the fans, there was only one obvious choice, and that was Jack Beckman,” JFR President Robert Hight said. “Plus, he has history with Chris Cunningham (co-crew chief on the PEAK Chevy with Dan Hood and Tim Fabrisi) and has the respect of John’s family.”
Beckman’s last run at a championship was in 2020, when the 33-time NHRA national event winner drove for Don Schumacher Racing.
